Whisky Magazine 174

World Whiskies Awards 2021 Icons of Whisky Hall of Fame

Editor's Word The science of whisky A key to unlocking the real magic

By Christopher Coates

Thoughts from... To science! Raising a glass to the chemists

By Maggie Kimberl

Thoughts from... By the numbers Sales figures don’t tell the whole story

By Liza Weisstuch

Mythbusters Antediluvian Whisky Exploring the ancient origins of uisge beatha

By Chris Middleton

Whisky Learning The Peat Provenance Mystery Baffled by talk of coastal versus mainland peat? How about PPM figures? It’s time to roll up our sleeves and...

By Felipe Schrieberg

Taste A Natural Nose for Whiskey Research indicates that women generally have a better sense of smell than men, but it’s more than just biology that...

By Maggie Kimberl

Interview The Science of Flavour Harry Riffkin is the head of Tatlock & Thomson, a Scottish consultancy which has offered scientific services to the wine...

By Gavin D. Smith

Distillery Focus Inchgower Intrigue Rarely publicised and mostly used for blending, this Morayshire distillery nevertheless has a story to tell

Interview The power of visibility Taking a closer look at the experience of one former STEM student who has paved the way for a more...

By Phoebe Calver

Whisky Glassware A Glass For All Whisky Looking back on the birth of an icon

By Jacopo Mazzeo

Production The Race to 100 Recent years have seen the release of some of the oldest single malts ever bottled, but will we ever see...

By Jason Thomson

People Remembering Willie Pratt — the late master distiller emeritus at Michter’s Willie Pratt, master distiller emeritus at Michter’s, led an extraordinary life immersed in the Bourbon industry. Liza Weisstuch looks back...

By Liza Weisstuch

Production Proof of Entry Filling a cask isn’t as simple as pouring spirit through a bung hole

By Ian Wisniewski

Travel This Travelling Life: Billy Walker, Master Blender of GlenAllachie In this issue, Joe speaks with Billy about science, travel and a lifetime in whisky

By Joe Bates

Caskaway Caskaway: Julieann Fernandez's desert island drams In each edition we ask one of the industry’s great and good which drams they would take with them to...

By Martha Crass

Joe BatesThis Travelling Life: Billy Walker, Master Blender of GlenAllachieIn this issue, Joe speaks with Billy about science, travel and a lifetime in whisky

Phoebe CalverThe power of visibilityTaking a closer look at the experience of one former STEM student who has paved...

Christopher CoatesThe science of whiskyA key to unlocking the real magic

Martha CrassCaskaway: Julieann Fernandez's desert island dramsIn each edition we ask one of the industry’s great and good which drams they...

Maggie KimberlA Natural Nose for WhiskeyResearch indicates that women generally have a better sense of smell than men, but it’s...

Jacopo MazzeoA Glass For All WhiskyLooking back on the birth of an icon

Chris MiddletonAntediluvian WhiskyExploring the ancient origins of uisge beatha

Felipe SchriebergThe Peat Provenance MysteryBaffled by talk of coastal versus mainland peat? How about PPM figures? It’s time to...

Gavin D. SmithThe Science of FlavourHarry Riffkin is the head of Tatlock & Thomson, a Scottish consultancy which has offered...

Jason ThomsonThe Race to 100Recent years have seen the release of some of the oldest single malts ever bottled,...

Liza WeisstuchRemembering Willie Pratt — the late master distiller emeritus at Michter’sWillie Pratt, master distiller emeritus at Michter’s, led an extraordinary life immersed in the Bourbon...

Ian WisniewskiProof of EntryFilling a cask isn’t as simple as pouring spirit through a bung hole

Adnams
Triple Malt Whisky

ABV 47%

Comments: Some nice complexity here, as well as a few surprises along the way.

Overall score

7.4

Arbikie Highland Rye
1794, 2020 Release

ABV 48%

Comments: This is right up my street, it really doesn’t stop surprising you from start to finish.

Overall score

8.1

Benromach
10 Years Old

ABV 43%

Comments: There’s a lot going on but at no point is it overwhelming,

Overall score

8.6

Benromach
Contrasts: Organic

ABV 46%

Comments: Does enough with the time it has to leave a pleasant impression.

Overall score

8.1

Benromach
Cask Strength Vintage 2009 Batch 4

ABV 57.2%

Comments: Complex, fruity and one that I want to take on a date to really get to know.

Overall score

8.6

Carn Mor
Williamson (Laphroaig) 10 Years Old

ABV 47.5%

Comments: Both intense and delicate. Everything seems to play very nicely.

Overall score

7.9

Cotswolds Distillery
2015 Odyssey Barley

ABV 46%

Comments: It’s an enjoyable sip, but it didn’t blow my socks off.

Overall score

7.2

Elijah Craig
Barrel Proof Batch C920

ABV 66.4%

Comments: Very well balanced and an even more enjoyable story when water was added.

Overall score

8.2

Glen Moray
Sauternes Cask Matured

ABV 59.6%

Comments: Definitely has potential, but as it is there’s too much cask and burn to really settle down and enjoy it.

Overall score

6.9

High Coast Whisky
Collection 01 - Marieberg

ABV 51%

Comments: Certainly a sippable dram. Although it showed some signs of complexity, it could be a little more dynamic.

Overall score

7.2

HYDE Irish Whiskey
#6 President’s Reserve

ABV 46%

Comments: This has me longing for a fresh and zingy summer picnic.

Overall score

7.7

KOVAL Distillery
Four Grain Whiskey

ABV 47%

Comments: I adore the nose on this and it develops nicely on the palate with character.

Overall score

8.3

Lambay Whiskey
Small Batch Blend

ABV 40%

Comments: I would say it is perhaps a little cautious and could do with a little more character development.

Overall score

7.1

Langatun
10 Years Old, Second Release

ABV 49.1%

Comments: Pleasant and very sippable.

Overall score

7.8

Larceny
Barrel Proof Batch C920

ABV 61.2%

Comments: Really enjoyable, but I wish it wasn’t quite so hot.

Overall score

7.8

Octomore
11.1

ABV 59.4%

Comments: It takes you on a smooth journey through Islay, with just enough complexity to keep it interesting.

Overall score

8.0

Smögen
100 Proof Sherry Quarter Casks

ABV 57.1%

Comments: Not a great deal of complexity here, but I felt there was some potential on the nose.

Overall score

6.9

Smögen
8 Years Old Batch 2

ABV 59.8%

Comments: It certainly has potential and a whole lot of character.

Overall score

7.5

Untamed
Cask Strength Irish Whiskey

ABV 63.8%

Comments: Complex and interesting.

Overall score

8.0

Wemyss Malts
The Hive

ABV 46%

Comments: It is a pleasing sip. I’d be interested to test it out in a couple of cocktails in the warmer months.

Overall score

7.3

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Whisky Magazine 174

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